The first off-road race for dogs and their owners in the UAE will get under way next month, with participants competing for the chance to win free food for three months.
Canicross is a popular event worldwide that sees pet owners running long distances with their canine companions.
The six-kilometre race will take place on February 12, in Hatta Wadi Hub.
Most of all, this is a fun event and the dogs find it challenging but it is hugely rewarding
Hussain Darwish,
K9 Challenge
The event is the brainchild of Omani Hussain Darwish, 37, who set up the K9 Challenge series of hiking events across the country to encourage more people to get out into the great outdoors with their dogs.
“Some people run as fast as possible and treat it as a race, others take a more leisurely pace and enjoy their surroundings,” said Mr Darwish, an entrepreneur who lives and works in Dubai.
“We decided to start with a 6km route to see how people cope, but usually the dogs have plenty of energy and it is the humans who tire out first.
“Finding something for people to do with their dogs is very important, as the animals often have plenty of energy and need to burn it off.”
Organisers are currently finalising a route that will combine spectacular mountain views with sand, rock and water. Details are expected to be confirmed next week.
Around 100 people are expected to take part.
The event will be marshalled and clearly marked out, so there is no chance of getting lost.
The race is suitable for all breeds of dogs, as long as their behaviour is not aggressive towards other dogs and people.
Mr Darwish has four dogs who he regularly runs with and said combined events are a great way for owners to bond with their pets.
“I have a German Shepherd, a Belgian Malinois, greyhound and a mix - they are all rescue dogs and love running with me,” he said.
“People take these events seriously and we have seen people getting into training with their dogs already.
“Most of all this is a fun event and the dogs find it challenging but it is hugely rewarding.
“If you have a dog, you don’t have to run alone, and they usually love it.”
For more information or to register for the event visit the K9 Challenge website.
PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
